The Padres have been encouraged by the recent reports they've received regarding Richards' (elbow) rehab from Tommy John surgery and are increasingly optimistic that he'll be able to pitch for the big club in September, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

San Diego signed Richards to a two-year, $15.5 million deal in the offseason with the expectation that he would spend all of 2019 rehabbing from July 2018 Tommy John surgery before returning to full strength for the upcoming spring. Richards, meanwhile, had privately held out hope for making his Padres debut at the tail end of 2019, and the organization may be starting to come around to his line of thinking. The 31-year-old still has multiple obstacles to clear in the recovery process before September arrives, and it's likely he would be deployed out of the bullpen or as an opener rather than a traditional starter if he does in fact make it back from the 60-day injured list. Even in the event Richards fails to meet his goal, the fact that a 2019 return is even on the table speaks well to his progress as the one-year anniversary of his procedure nears.

Richards was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richards underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2018, and he is reportedly aiming to return for the 2020 season. As such, he is a logical candidate to move to the 60-day IL in order to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for recent signee Aaron Loup. Richards will continue to rehab his elbow for the duration of the season.

Richards (elbow) agreed to a contract with the Padres on Thursday, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Specifics regarding the contract remain unknown, though it figures to be at least a two-year deal as Richards is expected to miss the entire 2019 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July. Injuries have limited the 30-year-old to just 138.2 innings over the past three seasons, but he's proven to be a valuable rotation piece when healthy, posting a combined 3.15 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 8.5 K/9 over the past five seasons (514.2 innings).

Richards (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group reports.

EDGE Analysis

This won't have an impact on his timetable as Richards will likely remain sidelined through the 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery a week ago. This will free up 40-man roster spots for the recently acquired Ty Buttrey and Williams Jerez.

Richards (Tommy John surgery) is aiming to return for the 2020 season, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Angels' ace is set to undergo the procedure on July 24, after which point Richards will embark on the lengthy rehab process that accompanies Tommy John surgery. The timing of Richards' injury is particularly unfortunate as he'll not only miss the remainder of 2018, but early reports suggest that a return during the 2019 season is unlikely as well. If that remains the case, Richards will have plenty of time to get his arm in peak shape heading into the 2020 season.

Richards (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After an MRI revealed damage in his UCL, Richards has decided to eschew the rest-and-rehab route this time and undergo Tommy John surgery. With that, the Angels will be without their staff ace for likely at least one calendar year while Richards rehabs his repaired pitching elbow.

Richards (elbow) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The Angels acted quickly to move Richards to the DL a day after he exited his start against the Mariners with UCL damage in his right elbow. It hasn't been determined if Richards will require surgery to address the matter, but it's expected that he'll face an extended absence regardless of how he elects to treat the injury. The Angels recalled Deck McGuire from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move and could slot him into the rotation when Richards' next turn comes up Sunday against the Dodgers.

Richards has a damaged UCL, an MRI revealed Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Richards has not yet decided whether or not to undergo surgery, though even alternative plan of care would likely keep him out for a long time. The extent of the damage is not clear, nor is the timeline on any alternative care plan, but given that surgery is being considered as a possibility, the outlook doesn't look good, especially for someone with a history of elbow injuries like Richards.

Richards left Tuesday's game against the Mariners with an apparent injury after 2.2 innings, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richards was making only his second start since coming off the disabled list with a hamstring injury, and exits Tuesday after allowing three runs to the Mariners. The 30-year-old was able to walk off the field under his own power, but his velocity was down to 92 mph from his usual range of 95-96 mph, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports, while the specifics of the injury remain unclear.

Richards struck out eight batters in 5.1 innings Wednesday against the Mariners, earning a win after allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

The strikeouts were good to see in Richards' first start back from a hamstring injury, though the start was not without blemishes, as he allowed back-to-back homers to Kyle Seager and Ryon Healy in the second inning. The 30-year-old's season ERA now sits at 3.42, and he's posted a career-high 10.5 K/9. He'll next take the hill Tuesday against the Mariners.